Apparatus and Method for Protection or Decoration of Open-Ended Containers

ABSTRACT

A system includes an open-ended container and an apparatus. The apparatus includes a compressible lower portion adapted for insertion into a hollow interior of the open-ended container and to contact an inner surface of the open-ended container. The apparatus also includes an upper portion connected to the lower portion and adapted for placement over an outer surface of the open-ended container. The apparatus may also include an overwrap portion connected to at least one of the lower portion and the upper portion and that is adapted for placement over the outer surface of the open-ended container and over the upper portion. For example, the open-ended container could represent a drinking glass, the upper portion may be adapted for placement over at least a bowl of the drinking glass, and the overwrap portion may be adapted for placement over the bowl, a stem, and a base of the drinking glass.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/438,797 filed on Feb. 2, 2011,which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to protective and decorative devices.More specifically, this disclosure relates to an apparatus and methodfor protection or decoration of Open-ended containers

BACKGROUND

When multiple glasses, vases, or other fragile open-ended containers arepacked for moving or storage, a specialized packing crate havinginternal dividers may be used to prevent breakage of the containers byseparating the containers with a divider material that prevents thecontainers from impacting each other during movement of the crate.Additionally or alternatively, individual containers may be wrapped in aprotective material such as “bubble wrap” or foam before being placed ina crate that may or may not have internal dividers. In still othercircumstances, containers may be placed in a crate in positionsseparated from each other, and a cushioning material such as foampellets may be poured into the crate to fall between the containers andprevent their impacting each other during movement of the crate.

These packing techniques require specialized crates or extensivehandling of containers and/or wrapping materials. Furthermore, mistakesmade in applying the techniques may result in container breakage,despite preventative efforts.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for protection ordecoration of open-ended containers.

In first embodiment, an apparatus includes a compressible lower portionadapted for insertion into a hollow interior of an open-ended containerand to contact an inner surface of the open-ended container. Theapparatus also includes an upper portion connected to the lower portionand adapted for placement over an outer surface of the open-endedcontainer.

In a second embodiment, a system includes an open-ended container and anapparatus. The apparatus includes a compressible lower portion adaptedfor insertion into a hollow interior of the open-ended container and tocontact an inner surface of the open-ended container. The apparatus alsoincludes an upper portion connected to the lower portion and adapted forplacement over an outer surface of the open-ended container.

In a third embodiment, a method, includes inserting a compressible lowerportion of an apparatus into a hollow interior of an open-endedcontainer, where the lower portion contacts an inner surface of theopen-ended container. The method also includes placing an upper portionof the apparatus over an outer surface of the open-ended container,where the upper portion of the apparatus is connected to the lowerportion of the apparatus.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate use of an example apparatus for protectionor decoration of an open-ended container in accordance with thisdisclosure;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a particular implementation of an apparatus forprotection or decoration of an open-ended container in accordance withthis disclosure;

FIGS. 7 through 11 illustrate use of another example apparatus forprotection or decoration of an open-ended container in accordance withthis disclosure; and

FIGS. 12 through 20 illustrate additional example apparatuses forprotection or decoration of an Open-ended container in accordance withthis disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 20, described below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present invention in this patent documentare by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any wayto limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art willunderstand. that the principles of the invention may be implemented inany type of suitably arranged device or system.

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate use of an example apparatus 100 forprotection or decoration of an open-ended container in accordance withthis disclosure. The embodiment of the apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1through 4 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the apparatus100 may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

In this example embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes variouscomponents that facilitate applying pressure at a number of locationsacross an inner surface of a wine glass 102 or other open-endedcontainer, as well as other components that provide for a protectivecovering around at least portions of an outer surface of the wine glass102. In FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 is aligned with an open end Of thewine glass 102, in preparation for inserting a portion of the apparatus100 into a bowl of the wine glass 102. In FIG. 2, the insertion processis partially completed, and a lower portion 104 of the apparatus 100 ispartially inserted into the open end of the wine glass 102.

It may be seen that the lower portion 104 of the apparatus 100 has awidth or diameter before insertion that is larger than an inner diameterof the open end and the bowl of the wine glass 10. However, the lowerportion 104 is made from or filled with a compressible material thatpermits the lower portion 104 to be compressed for insertion into thebowl of the wine glass 102.

In FIG. 3, substantially all of the lower portion 104 of the apparatus100 has been inserted into the bowl of the wine glass 102 and hasexpanded to fill substantially all the bowl. An outer surface of thelower portion 104 is thus in contact with an inner surface of the bowlat a number of locations. In some embodiments, the lower portion 104 isfabricated from a fabric, fine netting, or other tightly woven materialsurrounding a compressible material, and the lower portion 104 maycontact the inner surface of the bowl at a majority of locations oralong substantially all of the inner surface of the bowl. In otherembodiments, the outer material of the lower portion 104 is a fishnet,burlap, or other coarse weave material, and the lower portion 104 maycontact the inner surface of the bowl at a lesser number of locations.In still other embodiments, the lower portion 104 is fabricated. from acompressible material such as sponge, stacked nylon netting (“showerscrunchy”), or textured foam without a woven covering, and the lowerportion 104 may contact the inner surface of the bowl at a plurality ofdiscrete, separated locations.

Regardless of whether contact between the lower portion 104. and theinner surface of the bowl is discrete or continuous, an effect of suchcontact is to damp vibrations in the material of the bowl (e.g., glass,pottery, porcelain, etc.) caused by an impact on an outer surface of thebowl. To a lesser extent, any resistance to compression of the materialof the lower portion 104 will also resist compression of the material ofthe bowl caused by impact. In both cases, the pressure of the lowerportion 104 against the inner surface of the bowl aids in preventingbreakage of the material of the bowl caused by an impact.

FIG. 3 also shows an upper portion 106 of the apparatus 100, whichremains outside the wine glass 102 when the lower portion 104 of theapparatus 100 is inserted into the bowl of the wine glass 102. The upperportion 106 is an unfilled tube that is open at an end distal from thewine glass 102. The open end of the Upper portion 106 may be pulled downaround opposite sides of an outer surface of the bowl of the wine glass102 as shown by arrows 108. In some embodiments, the upper portion 106may be made from an elastic material having a diameter smaller than thebowl, such that the material is pulled outwards to be fitted over thebowl and springs back inward to contact the outer surface of the bowl.In other embodiments the upper portion 106 may be made from anon-elastic material having a diameter sufficiently larger than the bowlso that the material may be pulled down over the outer surface of thebowl without requiring the material to stretch.

FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus 100 fully installed on the wine glass102. The lower portion 104 remains within the bowl of the wine glass102, while the upper portion 106 has been pulled down or otherwisearranged to cover the outer surface of the bowl. While the upper portion106 is only long enough to cover the bowl of the wine glass 102, it willbe seen from other embodiments (described below) that the length of theupper portion 106 may alternatively be adequate also to cover a portionor all of the stem and base of the wine glass 102.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a particular implementation of an apparatus 500for protection or decoration of an open-ended container in accordancewith this disclosure. The apparatus 500 may represent a particularimplementation of the apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 anddescribed above.

FIG. 5 presents a top view of the apparatus 500, which includes a lowerportion 504 and an upper portion 506. In some embodiments, the apparatus500 may be fabricated from two pieces of material. As depicted in FIG.5, the pieces are laid one on top of the other and sewn along the topborder, the left edge, and the bottom border (as arranged in FIG. 5) toform a tubular shape with an open end on the right. In otherembodiments, the apparatus 500 may be formed from a single piece ofmaterial in a tubular shape, which may be fabricated with a sealed end510 or with the end 510 sealed in a separate fabrication step.

The lower portion 504 is filled with a compressible material and Sealedwith a seam 512 or other closure to retain the filling material in thelower portion 504. The seam 512 may be sewn, glued, heat treated, orsealed by any other technique suitable to the material(s) of the lowerportion 504 and the upper portion 506.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 is fabricated with a width 514that may be selected based upon a maximum diameter of the open-endedcontainer with which the apparatus 500 will be used. The lower portion504 has a length 516 that may be selected based upon a maximum internalheight of a bowl of the open-ended container. The upper portion 506 hasa length 518 that may be selected based upon an external height of thebowl or upon a total height of the open-ended container.

In some embodiments, the end 510 of the lower portion 504 is curved asshown in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the end 510 may be formed at aright angle to the sides of the lower portion 504. Also, in someembodiments, the end 510 is permanently sealed at fabrication. In otherembodiments, the end 510 is sealed with a resealable zipper, drawstring,Velcro fastener, or other closure that may be operated by a user of theapparatus 500. This permits the user to select a material to use infilling the lower portion 504. Where the apparatus 500 is used as adecoration rather than as a packing aid, the lower Portion 504 may befilled with chocolates, rice, or other material for gift, celebration,or other purposes.

The lower portion 504 and the upper portion 506 are described above asbeing fabricated from a single material. In other embodiments, the lowerportion 504 may be fabricated from a first material, the upper portion506 may be fabricated from a second material, and the two materials maybe joined at the seam 512. The material for the lower portion 504 may beselected based upon any suitable characteristic. For instance, thematerial may be selected based upon the granularity or othercharacteristics of a filling material to maximize the number and size oflocations at which the lower portion 504 contacts an inner surface of anopen-ended container when inserted. The material for the upper portion506 may be selected for thickness and cushioning of an outer surface ofa bowl of the open-ended container, for durability over repeated uses ofthe apparatus 500, for decorative qualities, or for any other suitablereason.

FIG. 6 presents a cut-away view of the apparatus 500. A hidden edge ofthe open end of the upper portion 506 is depicted with a dashed line.The lower portion 504 is sealed by the seam 512 and the closure at theend. 510 to retain a filling material 520 within the lower portion 504.

The lower portion 504 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and described here as acovering material filled with a filler material. However, it will beunderstood that in other embodiments the lower portion 504 is formedfrom a material such as foam, sponge, folded nylon netting, or othersuitable compressible material that does not require a coveringmaterial.

FIGS. 7 through 11 illustrate use of another example apparatus 700 forprotection or decoration of an open-ended container in accordance withthis disclosure. The embodiment of the apparatus 700 shown in FIGS. 7through 11 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the apparatus700 may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows the apparatus 700 aligned with the wine glass 102 forinsertion. In FIG. 8, a lower portion 704 of the apparatus 700 ispartially inserted into the bowl of the wine glass 102. In FIG. 9,substantially all of the lower portion 704 has been inserted in thebowl. Also in FIG. 9, it may be seen that an upper portion 706 of theapparatus 700 can be inverted over the outer surface of the bowl asshown by arrows 708.

FIG. 10 illustrates an additional element of the apparatus 700, namelyan overwrap portion 710. The overwrap portion 710 is formed from amaterial selected for decorative qualities, to provide additionalprotection to the wine glass 102, or for any other suitable reason. Aswith the upper portion 706, the overwrap portion 710 is inverted overthe bowl and upper portion 706 and drapes the entire length of the wineglass 102 as shown in FIG. 11.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, the overwrap portion 710 may be formed instrips or any other outline or shape for decorative purposes. Theoverwrap portion 710 may be as long as the upper portion 706 or may belong enough to cover all of the wine glass 102. The overwrap portion 710May include a logo, picture, graphic, design, or other image as desiredto provide decoration or association with an institution, group,holiday, or event. The overwrap portion 710 and the upper portion 706may be fabricated with any material (s) suitable for a desired functionof. the apparatus 700, such as impact protection, dust protection,decoration, or other purpose. In some embodiments, the overwrap portion710 is attached at a seam or other closure attaching the upper portion706 to the lower portion 704 such that the overwrap portion 710 issubstantially the only portion of the apparatus 700 visible in the finalconfiguration shown in FIG. 11.

In other embodiments, the overwrap portion 710 may be attached to theupper portion 706 at a position separated from the seam or other closureattaching the upper portion 706 to the lower portion 704. In suchembodiments, a part of the upper portion 705 is visible to a selecteddistance along the length of the wine glass 102, while the overwrapportion 710 forms a lower wrap around the remainder of the wine glass102. In particular embodiments, the apparatus 700 could be decorated toform a doll or other figure. For instance, the exposed part of the upperportion 706 could be decorated to resemble a shirt or blouse, theoverwrap portion 710 could be decorated to resemble trousers or a skirt,and a head could be attached to the closure that attaches the upperportion 706 to the lower portion 704 such that the head sits atop thecovered wine glass 102 in the final configuration shown in FIG. 11. Inother embodiments, other decorative element (s) may be attached to theclosure that attaches the upper portion 706 to the lower portion 704 tohide the closure.

FIGS. 12 through 20 illustrate additional example apparatuses forprotection or decoration of an open-ended container in accordance withthis disclosure. FIG. 12 depicts an apparatus 1200 made of multiplepieces of nylon netting sewn together at an internal location andallowed to spread out in all directions (a “shower scrunchy”). Thisforms a compressible material suitable for use on its own as a lowerportion (504 or 704) of an apparatus, such as one described above.

As shown in FIG. 13, however, a tubular piece of woven material, closedat one end 1310, may also be placed over the “shower scrunchy” andclosed at a seam or closure 1312. This forms a lower portion 1304 of anapparatus, such as one described above.

As shown in FIG. 14, in still another embodiment, an apparatus 1400includes a tubular piece of netting having a closed end 1410 that may beplaced over the “shower scrunchy” and closed at closure 1412. Aremainder of the netting material forms an upper portion 1406 of theapparatus. In FIG. 14, the resulting lower portion 1404 is seen insertedinto a bowl of a wine glass. In FIG. 15, the upper portion 1406 has beenpulled down over substantially all of the exterior of the wine glass.

FIG. 16 shows a tubular overwrap portion 1600 that may be added to theapparatus 1400. As will be made clearer in subsequent figures, adecorative side of the overwrap portion 1600 is on the inside of thetube in FIG. 16. An edge 1602 of the overwrap portion 1600 may beattached to the seam or closure 1412 of the apparatus 1400, resulting inthe configuration illustrated in FIG. 17, In FIG. 18, the overwrapportion 1600 has been inverted and pulled down over the upper portion1406, revealing the decorative side of the overwrap portion 1600. Aribbon has been tied around the overwrap portion 1600 to gather thematerial around the stem of the wine glass. Note that the sequence shownin FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 appears to show the overwrap portion 1600 beingattached to the apparatus 1400 after the apparatus 1400 is alreadyinstalled in the wine glass. However, it will be understood that inother embodiments, the overwrap portion 1600 is attached to theapparatus 1400 during fabrication, and the resulting apparatus isprovided to a user in a completed. form.

FIG. 19 shows an apparatus 1900 having an alternative decorativeoverwrap portion. FIG. 20 shows an apparatus 2000 having an alternativeupper portion made of a thick elastic protective material (such as onethat socks are made of). It may be seen from FIGS. 19 and 20 that anoverwrap portion and/or an upper portion of an apparatus may bedecorated with any desired. picture, logo, graphic, or design fordisplay while the apparatus is in use on an open-ended container.

Although the figures have illustrated example apparatuses for protectionor decoration of an open-ended container, various changes may be made toFIGS. 1 through 20. For example, the use of a wine glass is forillustration only. The apparatuses described above could he used withany other suitable open-ended Container. Note that an open-endedcontainer could include a single opening (such as a glass, vase, etc.)or multiple openings. Also, each component of each apparatus could beformed using any suitable material(s) and in any suitable manner.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase“associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include,be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within,connect to or couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with,interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, havea property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase“at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that differentcombinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and onlyone item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B,and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, Aand C, B and C, and A and B and C.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generallyassociated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodimentsand methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the above description of example embodiments does not define orconstrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure, as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a compressible lower portion adapted for insertion into a hollow interior of an open-ended container and to contact an inner surface of the open-ended container; and an upper portion connected to the lower portion and adapted for placement over an outer surface of the open-ended container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: prior to placement over the outer surface of the open-ended container, the upper portion has a tubular shape with an open end distal from the lower portion; and the upper portion is adapted to be inverted to place the upper portion over the outer surface of the container.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower portion comprises a filling material within a cover.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an overwrap portion connected to at least one of the lower portion and the upper portion, the overwrap portion adapted for placement over the outer surface of the open-ended container and over the upper portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the upper portion is adapted for placement over at least a first portion or all of the open-ended container; and the overwrap portion is adapted for placement over at least a second portion or all of the open-ended container.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is adapted to dampen vibrations in the open-ended container and to resist compression of the open-ended container.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is adapted for insertion into a bowl of a. drinking glass.
 8. A system comprising: an open-ended container; and an apparatus comprising: a compressible lower portion adapted for insertion into a hollow interior of the open-ended container and to contact an inner surface of the open-ended container; and an upper portion connected to the lower portion and adapted for placement over an outer surface of the open-ended container.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: prior to placement over the outer surface of the open-ended. container, the upper portion. has a tubular shape with an open end distal from the lower portion; and the upper portion is adapted to be inverted to place the upper portion over the outer surface of the container.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the lower portion comprises a filling material within a cover.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises: an overwrap portion Connected to at least one of the lower portion and the upper portion, the overwrap portion adapted for placement over the outer surface of the open-ended container and over the upper portion.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein: the upper portion is adapted for placement over at least a first portion or all of the open-ended container; and the overwrap portion is adapted for placement over at least a second portion or all of the open-ended container.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the lower portion is adapted to dampen vibrations in the open-ended container and to resist compression of the open-ended container.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein open-ended container comprises a drinking glass.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein: the apparatus further comprises an overwrap portion connected to at least one of the lower portion and the upper portion; the upper portion is adapted for placement over at least a bowl of the drinking glass; and the overwrap portion is adapted for placement over the upper portion, the bowl of the drinking glass, a stem of the drinking glass, and a base of the drinking glass.
 16. A method comprising: inserting a compressible lower portion of an apparatus into a hollow interior of an open-ended container, the lower portion contacting an inner surface of the open-ended container; and placing an upper portion of the apparatus over an outer surface of the open-ended container, the Upper portion of the apparatus connected to the lower portion of the apparatus.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: prior to placement over the outer surface of the open-ended container, the upper portion has a tubular shape With an open end distal from the lower portion; and the upper portion is inverted to place the upper portion over the outer surface of the container.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: placing an overwrap portion of the apparatus over the outer surface of the open-ended container and over the upper portion.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein: the upper portion is placed Over at least a first portion or all of the open-ended container; and the overwrap portion is placed over at least a second portion or all of the open-ended container.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the open-ended container comprises a drinking glass; the upper portion is placed over at least a bowl of the drinking glass; and the overwrap portion is placed over the bowl of the drinking glass, a stem of the drinking glass, and a base of the drinking glass. 